FrontPage Stories

South Bay’s Gypsy Pride

By J.D. Hawk

While some people find solace in passive hobbies like painting, writing or bird-watching, Flamenco dancing offers an opportunity for others to actively live their art. “Your body is just an instrument used to decorate a song,” dance instructor Diana Aragon-Weisner said.

Aragon-Weisner leads a class full of eager students in the art of Flamenco dancing every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in The Heritage Recreation Center, located at 1381 East Palomar St. in Chula Vista. Whereas many other forms of dance seem to be merely beautiful, Otay Ranch’s Flamenco, as the eight-year Flamenco veteran teaches it, seems to bring it up a few notches. “ It’s about maximum sorrow and maximum joy. There’s nothing in between,” she said. “It’s either you cry because you are very happy, or you cry because you are very sad.”

The class of 20-plus students, dressed dominantly in red and black, follow her lead to the beat and rhythm (called compas), moving their shoulders, bending their elbows, whirling their wrists and snapping their fingers  all seemingly at opposite angles. How anyone can learn to bend in such positions is hard to believe, but the class does do it, and they do it very well.

But the beauty of Flamenco is the undeniable air of Spanish pride and Gypsy power. With the class’s collective feet digging, stabbing into the ground and their follow-up heels stomping and slamming, one can’t help but feel sympathy for the unmatched earth below. As flamboyant as the legs move, Aragon-Weisner manages to maintain all steps within a two-tile radius.

U.S. Suspends Funding For Key Farmworker SurveyByDaffodil AltanIn a move that stunned researchers, policy-makers and nonprofit organizations, the U.S. Department of Labor has suspended funding for the only national survey that collects data on the working and living conditions of the country’s difficult-to-track migrant farmworker population.

Immigrant Representative Takes Office in MichoacánIn the midst of high expectations on both sides of the US Mexican border, this past January 14, the first elected official representing citizens of the Mexican state of Michoacán residing in the United States was sworn into office in Michoacán.By Eduardo StanleyMorelia, Michoacán (Mexico)  He entered the legislative chambers almost shyly and looked up toward the public gallery, where his relatives and friends were seated, and smiled in greeting to them. Scarcely past 11:00 a.m., Jesus Martinez Saldaña took his oath as one of the 40 elected deputies of the 70th State Legislature of the state of Michoacán.

First PersonWe can’t forget how to singBy Heriberto Escamilla
A few weeks ago, I found myself in an elementary school auditorium in Pacoima California. My assistant and I were there to present the latest results of a door-to-door survey that we have been conducting every year beginning in 2001. The auditorium was in a festive mood, with colorful Christmas decorations and children’s crayon creations taped on the ordinary gray walls that we often see in schools. As our hosts prepared the projector and screen, we passed the time by watching the children come in, most with lively eyes looking for buddies, others dragging their feet as if each step taken was the result of unrewarded effort. Some faces betrayed the anxiety characteristic of someone looking to please, while a few faces carefully hid away their wounded spirit. In a few minutes, the wooden bleachers at the base of the stage were completely filled with some fifty fidgeting brown-faced songbirds (with a few güeros here and there) ready to start their day.

When Sleepless Nights Become DangerousBy Tracy NelsonEver woke up in the morning and felt just as exhausted as when you went to bed? For about nine percent of the U.S. population, and up to 25 percent in the elderly, this isn’t a one-time occurrence: it’s an ongoing reality. These people suffer from a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea literally means ‘no breath’ when sleeping. Sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea experience temporary and repeated blockages of the throat resulting in snoring, choking, shortness of breath and frequent awakening. In the morning, these individuals complain of tiredness and excessive sleepiness.

NASA Scientist’s Career Spans Agency History
A Goddard Senior Fellow, Dr. Mario Acuña is a long way from his native land. Acuña was born and raised in Argentina. He had not planned on a career at NASA; however, a series of events and political turmoil in Argentina eventually brought him to America.

Cal State San Marcos Helps Middle School Students Plan College Path
February is College Awareness Month in California, and Cal State San Marcos is using this time to help local middle school students prepare for the future during “College: Making it Happen.” The programs, which are being held at area middle schools during February and March, are free and open to the public:

BPW Foundation Scholarships for Women in NeedScholarships Help Women Advance Their Careers through Education
The BPW Foundation is accepting applications for Career Advancement Scholarships. These scholarships are open to women seeking the education necessary for entry or re-entry into the workforce or advancement within it. Career Advancement Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic merit, volunteer work, and previous academic and work history. Since 1969, the BPW Foundation has awarded over $6 million in scholarships, loans and grants to over 8,000 women wanting to further their education and improve their careers and earning power. Last year the BPW Foundation awarded 81 scholarships.

Editorial:He, who makes the rules, controls the game!There is an old saying in power politics, “He who makes the rules, controls the game”. In the case of the City of San Diego, the present rules no longer serve the interest of the elected power structure within the City. However, to try and retain power, the entrenched power brokers are trying to change the rules to fit their needs and solidify control into the hands of a few. The concept of the ‘Strong Mayor’ system of government was placed on the ballot, in the last election, without any input what so ever by the Citizens of the City.

CommentaryWhy is it so Hard to say Goodbye?By Ernest McCray“Bersin’s position hangs in balance” is the title of a newspaper article I just read as I relaxed at my crib. But I have to ask: Why? Why should it be hard to say goodbye to a school superintendent who promised us a “World Class” school system and delivered one that isn’t even “County Class.”

National City Spotlight:Our Children’s Education in the Sights of a Deceitful GovernorBy Ted Godshalk
Recently our family visited the Sacramento area. Our fourth grader is studying California history and he benefited from the seeing Sutter’s Mill, the place along the American River where gold was first found, the Chaw-se Indian village, and other important sites. Driving into the city of Sacramento, the white dome of the Capitol was pointed out as the seat of government in our state. A child’s education, I believe, is always enhanced by many varied activities outside the classroom.

Commentary: ‘Occupied Democracy’: A New American Foreign PolicyBy Jamal DajaniDuring the last year the United States has sought to bring elections to Afghanistan, Iraq and what may become Palestine. If American ideology is embraced by the Muslim world, the thinking goes, our heavy military and financial involvement in these areas will be validated. This strategy has spawned a new trend in U.S. foreign policy that might aptly be called “occupied democracy.”

Commentary:Iraqi Elections: Lessons from Puerto RicoBy Donna R. HernándezIn his inaugural address, President Bush promised that “America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling.” His words and actions, however, indicate otherwise. According to media reports, large sectors of the Iraqi population will be excluded from the Jan. 30 elections. Iraq’s introduction to “democracy” will occur under U.S. military occupation and in a time of extreme danger and war. Democracy imposed with the threat of force is not democracy at all. It didn’t work in Puerto Rico a century ago, and it’s not going to work in Iraq this week.

Tezozomoc SpeaksUnited State’s Senators (Republican that is) flunked the test for Integrity, Sincerity, and Character in the recently held Senate hearings on Condoleezza Rice to be the next Secretary of State. The public hearings demonstrated how little backbone there is within the Republican Party. No lie was too big for Mz Rice. Whatever lie she said to provide a cover for the ineptitude was all right for the Republican members. They forgot that what was at stake was our country. Presidents come and go, but our nation must survive. Condoleezza Rice strikes fear in our hearts for the fate of our Nation.

Kung Food: New Cultural Space To Enrich Body, Mind and SpiritBy Michael Klam
Dinner and dancing? Dinner and a movie? How about dinner and Funk Fusion? Meet local recording artist, Al Howard, of Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra: “I personally feel that fusion, whether in music, art, food or culture is a key step in evolution and innovation. Bringing unlikely elements together has lead to many of humanity’s finest expressive achievements.” On February 11, Alfred and his band will perform their own brand of funk rhythms and spoken word as part of Kung Food’s Grand Opening.

Aguiar and Baladez Find Sharing the Key at Hilltop HighBy John Philip Wyllie
A year after they won a South Bay League championship and defeated cross town rival Bonita Vista for the first time in 23 years, the Hilltop Lancer women’s soccer team had great expectations coming into the 2005 season. But a slow start against murderous competition left them with an unimpressive 0-6-1 pre-league record. Now that they have reached the intra-league portion of their schedule, the Lancers expect to return to their winning ways.

Mercado: PLNU’s Homegrown Basketball StarBy John Philip WyllieAt 17-2 and ranked seventh among the nation’s NAIA collegiate women’s basketball programs, Pt. Loma Nazarene expects to advance deep into postseason national championship tournament. A year ago the Sea Lions reached the quarter-finals. That won’t be good enough this time around for their returning senior All-American guard, Jessica Mercado.